Posted by Don Pearce on 11/29/07 18:56

On Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:51:39 -0800, "Richard Crowley"
<rcrowley@xp7rt.net> wrote:

>"Don Pearce" wrote ...
>> Randy Yates wrote:
>>>However, the Lempel-Ziv algorithm is indeed a source coding algorithm
>>>and in that sense can be called a codec.
>>
>> And there, in a nutshell, is the problem with the definition. An audio
>> codec is something that does stuff with - specifically - audio. It
>> makes use of the qualities and features of audio to enable compression
>> that would not be valid for - eg - pictures or documents.
>
>I don't see the problem. We all regularly refer to an "MP3 file" or a
>"ZIP file". And it is understood by everyone that decoding an MP3
>file requires a MP3 codec, just as decoding a ZIP file requires a
>ZIP codec.
>
>A standalone application of an MP3 codec is called an "MP3
>Player" just as a standalone application of a ZIP codec is
>called "WinZip" (etc.). But note that there are also versions of
>both MP3 and ZIP codecs (and most others) that are just DLL
>files and usable internally by other applications.
>

I consulted the experts. In other words I went to the PKZIP web site.
I did a site-wide search for the word CODEC. Guess how many hits I
got. Guess again - lower. Go on, and again - a bit lower still. There
yet?

d

--
Pearce Consulting
http://www.pearce.uk.com

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